8 Impressive Black Succulent Varieties
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Elegant and Exotic: 8 Black Succulent Varieties to Try
Plants with dark leaves add wonderful interest to your landscape. One group of plants that have several examples of these plants is succulents.
Master the Art of Succulent Care – Discover the Best Books on Succulents!
It is a group that includes cacti. All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.
"Cactus" is a botanical family, while "succulents" refers to a larger group made up of several botanical families.
While some plants are almost black, many black plants are actually only dark purple or, less often, dark blue.
But regardless of its precise hue, its dark leaves can serve to provide a striking color contrast to plants that have glossy leaves (for example, golden foliage).
Some of them also have attractive flowers, but people grow them more often for their foliage. Many succulents are also great low-maintenance alternatives for plants that require more attention.
Thanks to their drought tolerance, they are perfect for gardeners who don't have enough time to care for plants to constantly water plants that cannot go through drought on their own.
Check out eight great options for succulents with dark foliage.
Black Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Many types of chickens and chicks (or "rulers") have dark foliage. The aptly named Sempervivum "Black" is just one of them.
Often the types of chickens and chicks that qualify as black plants show their dark color on the tips of the leaves.
Plant the Angelina chartreuse/golden climbing plant (Sedum rupestre 'Angelina') as a companion plant to create a nice color contrast.
- USDA Zones: 3 to 8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 6 to 12 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Black Zebra Cactus, or "Haworthia" (Haworthiopsis limifolia)
Haworthies resemble many of the Aloe vera plants. Both are treated as houseplants in the north.
The bulging spots of Haworthiopsis limifolia are rough to the touch; visually, being brighter than the rest of the surface of the sheet, they stand out in contrast.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 6 to 12 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Mexican (or Black Prince) Hens and Chicks (Echeveria 'Black Prince')
Sempervivum and Echeveria plants look very similar; in fact, both may have the common name "chickens and chicks."
But the former usually have small teeth along the edges of the leaves, while the margins of the latter are smooth.
A more important difference between them is the following: Sempervivum is very resistant to cold, while Echeveria is not.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 12
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: Usually about 4 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Purple Wood Spurge (Euphorbia amygdaloides 'Purpurea')
This perennial also has good resistance to deer. Greenish-black leaves, chartreuse bracts, and red stems combine to ensure this plant adds interest to any rock garden.
- USDA Zones: 4 to 9
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 12 to 18 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Black Knight Hens and Chicks (Echeveria affinis ‘Black Knight’)
Another incredibly black plant of this genus, along with Echeveria "Black Prince", is Echeveria "Black Knight".
It is especially attractive when new leaves are developing: there is a contrast between the lighter inner leaves (which is the new growth) of the rosette and the darker outer leaves.
As with all succulents, they must be removed as they die to prevent them from harboring aphids and other pests.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 6 inches
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Black Rose Tree Houseleek (Aeonium arboreum 'Zwartkop')
Do not confuse "evergreen" with "evergreen tree." As the common name "tree" suggests, the latter is a taller plant (although it is certainly not a tree).
And if you overlook the distinction in the common name, remember that the species name, arboreum, comes from the Latin arboreus, which means "of a tree."
Take advantage of the height of this plant (compared to many other succulents) and place it in the center (or behind) any group of succulents, to serve as a focal point.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial sun
- Height: 3 to 4 feet
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Chocolate Drop Stonecrop (Sedum 'Chocolate Drop')
Chocolate Drop is just one of many stone seed cultivars, the best-known being "Autumn Joy".
But the Chocolate Drop has far more interesting foliage than its more well-known relative: a rich wine that sometimes comes close to black.
Chocolate Drop also has bunches of pink flowers that are reasonably attractive. It tends to drop so please provide support to get the best display value.
- USDA Zones: 4 to 8
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 1 foot
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Blue Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus glaucescens)
The blue barrel cactus is so deep blue that some people consider it a black succulent.
Those looking for a more truly black cactus may prefer Echinopsis ancistrophora "Arachnacantha".
Be careful of spikes if you have children playing in the yard. The yellow flowers add interest to the foliage.
- USDA Zones: 9 to 11
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Height: 1 to 2 feet
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; drought-tolerant
Enjoy This Video Tutorial About Comparison of Echeverias
Source: Liquidambar Girl Gardening
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Last update on 2025-05-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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